Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Corrections offers Residential Community Reintegration Programs (RCRP) to individuals nearing their release to the community. These programs provide structured, supportive environments that help individuals prepare for successfully transitioning from incarceration and reintegrate into their communities. Participants benefit from tailored treatment and rehabilitation services, including substance use disorder treatment and mental health support, educational and vocational training, and employment opportunities.

RCRPs also provide opportunities to strengthen family relationships, connect with community resources, and develop the skills and confidence needed to maintain stable employment. By addressing both personal and practical needs, RCRPs help reduce recidivism, promote long-term independence, and support individuals in building a productive and positive future.

General Eligibility Requirements

Residential Community Reintegration Programs (RCRP) offer a structured, supportive pathway back into the community. These programs focus on rehabilitation, education, employment, and family reunification, helping participants rebuild their lives and strengthen community connections. Below is an overview of the minimum eligibility requirements and the process for applying to a RCRP.

Individuals may apply for RCRP placement when they meet the following criteria:

• Have achieved full minimum custody status.
• Have completed a psychological evaluation within the past 12 months that supports community placement (within 6 months for individuals convicted of violent offenses).
• Have medical and dental clearance within the past 12 months.
• Have demonstrated satisfactory behavior and adjustment within their correctional facility.
• Have 30 months or less remaining to serve on their sentence.
• Have applied for or obtained a duplicate Social Security card or birth certificate. A New Jersey non-driver’s identification card is preferred.

Individuals meeting eligibility requirements may apply for housing in a RCRP. Each applicant is rigorously evaluated for suitability and community safety, ensuring they are matched with a program that best supports their rehabilitation and reentry goals as determined through the assessment process.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

Step 1: Obtain the Application Form

• The process begins with the Community Program Application Form (Form 686-I).
• This form must be requested directly from the classification department at the correctional facility.

Step 2: Facility Review and Approval

• Once the applicant has completed the form, it is submitted to the facility staff.
• The staff will then review and approve the application at the facility level.

Step 3: Final Consideration and Approval

• Upon facility approval, the application is forwarded to the Office of Community Programs.
• This office conducts the final review and makes the ultimate decision regarding program acceptance.

Ineligibility

For certain offenses, the NJDOC is statutorily mandated to solicit input from the county prosecutor (N.J.S.A. 30:4-91.8). Additionally, victim notification and input may be required. Victims retain the right to object to an applicant's request for RCRP approval; such objections are reviewed by a special committee prior to a final decision. The NJDOC strictly adheres to all applicable regulations to ensure the process remains fair and transparent.

Individuals with specific convictions or circumstances are ineligible to participate in a Residential Community Reintegration Program (RCRP), including:

• A conviction for a sexual offense
• A conviction for an arson offense
• Detainers, open charges, or active sentences that prevent minimum custody status

Source: N.J.A.C. 10A:7-4.8, 10A:9-4, and 10A:9-4.6

Additionally, some situations may result in disqualification, such as:

• A prior violation of parole, Intensive Supervision Program (ISP), or electronic monitoring that involved a new criminal offense.
• A previous violation or unsuccessful completion of a RCRP.
• Risk of a public safety and program failure.

Placement and Program Assignment

Once approved and as space becomes available, individuals are transferred to a RCRP.

Male participants begin at the Assessment and Treatment Center, where a classification committee assesses their needs and assigns them to an appropriate RCRP focusing on treatment, education, or work release.

Female participants are transferred directly to a Specialized Gender-Responsive Program for Women designed to address their unique needs and support successful reintegration.

All treatment-focused RCRPs allow participants to progress into education, vocational training, or work release as they complete their treatment phase and move closer to reentry into the community.

Services Offered by RCRPs

• Case Management: Throughout their assignment to a Residential Community Reintegration Program, incarcerated persons engage in regular sessions with staff to address treatment planning, family visitation, education, employment, budgeting, and discharge planning.
• Individual Counseling: Available as a one-on-one session between an incarcerated person and a case manager.
• Group Counseling: Available between a group of incarcerated persons and facilitator to provide reentry and recovery support and may include large lecture or smaller process groups.
• Didactic Substance Misuse Education: Classroom-style teaching of the facts and knowledge about addiction through methods such as lectures, videos and written exercises.
• Substance Misuse Prevention Groups: Facilitated among caseloads or a small group of common members for peer support and motivation on recovery goals.
• Employment Preparation: Classes offer opportunities to practice job searching and interviews, resume preparation and job maintenance skills.
• Parenting/Family groups: These groups are available to incarcerated persons for development of parenting skills and family bonding.
• Anger Management Groups: Available to incarcerated persons in need of stress and anger management reduction techniques for behavioral change. Anger management groups are facilitated through curriculums chosen by the Residential Community Reintegration Programs.
• Self-Help Groups: Provides support for remaining alcohol and drug free and include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
• Employment: Incarcerated persons are required to work full-time in the Residential Community Reintegration Program unless they are attending vocational training or an academic program, in which they are required to work part time. Certain occupations and worksites are unallowable due to safety and security concerns.
• Education: Eligible incarcerated persons may attend GED courses or an approved NJDOC [at a] community college or university to earn an associate or bachelor's degree.
• Vocational Training: Eligible incarcerated persons may attend an NJDOC approved vocational training course to earn a certification in their field of interest.
• Laser Tattoo Removal: Incarcerated persons may volunteer for laser tattoo removal of face, neck, or hand tattoos at an NJDOC participating medical provider's office. Applications are reviewed for program adjustment and the length of time available to receive services prior to release.
• Domestic Violence Counseling: Available to incarcerated persons that are victims of domestic violence.
• Discharge planning: Begins at the time of the incarcerated person’s admission, continues during the course of participation in a RCRP, and addresses the needs of the incarcerated person after discharge.

Please note not all services are offered at each facility.

Types of Program Offered

Residential Community Reintegration Programs are organized by gender and by the type of services they provide, ensuring that participants receive the support best suited to their needs.

Female programs focus on gender-responsive programming, including substance use treatment, trauma-informed care and healing, job readiness.

Male programs are categorized into Assessment and Treatment Centers, Correctional Treatment Programs and Educational, Vocational Training, and Work Release Programs. Each category is designed to address specific rehabilitation and reentry needs, from clinical assessments and substance use treatment to education, and preparation for meaningful employment and family reintegration.

Specialized Gender Responsive Program for Women

Garrett House – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley

Address: 509 Cooper Street, Camden, NJ
Phone: (856) 964-6966
www.voadv.org

Millicent Fenwick House – New Jersey Association on Correction

Address: 369–371 Market Street, Paterson, NJ
Phone: (973) 278-7205
https://njaconline.org/

Male Programs

Assessment and Treatment Center (Male Programs)

The Harbor – Education and Health Centers of America

Address: 300 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 297-1771
www.ehcamerica.org/

Correctional Treatment Program (Male Programs)

CURA RCRP – CURA, Inc.

Address: 53 Spruce Street, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 622-3570
www.curainc.org/

Tully House - The Harbor – Education and Health Centers of America

Address: 28 Peerless Place, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 297-1771
www.ehcamerica.org/

Bridgeton 1 - Kintock

Address: 3 West Industrial Blvd., Bridgeton, NJ
Phone: (856) 459-2700
www.kintock.org/

Newark - Kintock

Address: 50 Fenwick Street, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 622-1400
www.kintock.org/

Hope Hall – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley

Address: 676 Fairview Street, Camden, NJ
Phone: (856) 963-6166
www.voadv.org

Educational, Vocational Training and Work Release Program

Fletcher House – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley

Address: 517 Penn Street, Camden, NJ
Phone: (856) 964-5100
www.voadv.org

James A. Hemm House – New Jersey Association on Correction

Address: 743 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 718-7111
https://njaconline.org/

Bridgeton 2 - Kintock

Address: 3 West Industrial Blvd., Bridgeton, NJ
Phone: (856) 459-2700
www.kintock.org/